Taste - Bring Your Appetite

Fuel your hunger exploring the wonders of Wells Gray. Feed your appetite in town. When it comes to where to eat Clearwater’s pubs, restaurants and cafes can satisfy your cravings. Scones straight out of the oven. Deli sandwiches to eat on the trail. An old-fashioned BBQ served right from a chuck wagon. Romantic, lakeside dinners for two. Sushi Wednesdays. Hungry yet?

Treat Your Taste Buds

Treat your taste buds to authentic Canadian fare…with more than just a little international influence. Don’t be surprised to find Schnitzel on our menus – it’s a local favourite. And if it’s Wednesday and you’re craving a taste of Japan stop by the Strawberry Moose Snackery where sushi’s just been made.

Watch water lilies floating steps away from your table. Listen to loons calling as the sun goes down. Make a reservation in advance and celebrate special occasions at the Painted Turtle Restaurant on Dutch Lake.

For equally delicious but far more casual fare, stop in at the Blue Loon the Old Caboose or the Wells Gray Inn on the Yellowhead Highway where hearty soups, burgers and salads are served with a side of warm hospitality.

Remote Outposts – Dining in the Park

The Park’s vast size makes dining on anything other than a campfire challenging but not impossible. The Osprey Café on the shores of Clearwater Lake serves homemade cakes and a warm “cuppa” (tea, coffee & more) to guests seasonally in the summer. You can watch the parade of hummingbirds flit and fly past your window-seat while dining at Helmcken Falls Lodge, a rustic restaurant just outside the Park throughout the year. And if you’re looking for a casual western BBQ then make reservations at the Black Horse Saloon, where the grill master at Wells Gray Guest Ranch serves up healthy portions of BC salmon and more.

Provisions for the Park

5,250 square kilometres of postcard-worthy wilderness means there are no grocery stores or restaurants directly in the Park. That’s okay, because those amenities, and a seasonal Farmer’s Market, can be found in Clearwater (Map). Make sure you stock up before you venture into the Park.

When to Go

The Osprey Café, Helmcken Lodge Restaurant and Black Horse Saloon are all open seasonally in summer

Most of Clearwater’s restaurants, pubs and cafes are open year round

The Clearwater Farmer’s Market sells fresh fruits and vegetables and a selection of handcrafted goods. Open 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturdays from beginning of May to end of October

Need to Know

Most dining options are located in the town of Clearwater, 35km south of Wells Gray Park’s entrance

Many accommodations offer a European-style continental breakfast included with your room rate – check with your hosts when you check-in

When eating in the Park, discard of any extras or food wrappers in bear-proof garbage bins located in picnic areas and campsites